9 Mini Backpacking Stoves for Feasting in the Field

Backpacking stoves have come a long, long way, and there are countless options for nature-lovers of all types. Some stoves are geared at ultralight campers who carry the bare minimum, while others include multiple pots and allow you to fire up a three-course feast in a matter of minutes. So load up your backpack with yummy food and head out into the wild, then light up one of these backpacking stoves when you reach your destination. You'll be chowing down on a hard-earned hot meal to replenish your calorie deficit in no time.

MSR's Windburner is a backpacker's dream stove system. The smaller, 1-liter size is great for solo trips, while the larger, 1.8-liter size is perfect for group cooking. It has a windproof screen that encloses the high-powered burner, so water boils in just a few minutes, regardless of wind conditions. For easy transport, all the pieces pack inside the pot, so it's compact enough to stuff in your backpack. MSR sells specially-made extras, too, such as a coffee press kit or this skillet, making backcountry cooking easier and more delicious than ever.

BioLite's one-of-a-kind CampStove 2 is a true game changer. Why? Because it runs on wood that can be found around your campsite! Simply light some sticks or pinecones, and you're ready to cook, no gas canisters needed! And get this — as you heat your meal, the attached battery pack charges itself, and it has USB outputs, so you can keep your camera, phone, and lanterns fully powered! Did we mention there's an integrated pliable FlexLight that illuminates your cooking station, too?

Jetboil's backpacking stoves are a staple for many backpackers, and this is an updated version of their most popular stove, the Flash. The Minimo is smaller and lighter in weight (just 14 ounces), so it consumes less space in your pack. It also has a shorter, wider pot that's easier to eat out of. But even though it's smaller, the Minimo still boils water in just a few short minutes.

If ultralight is your game, this stove from Snow Peak is calling your name. But this isn't just any old compact canister stove. It comes with a push-button igniter, so there's no need for a lighter. It also has four prongs (whereas most stoves have three), making it a more stable surface to rest a cooking pot, so your hands can be free to drink beer and chop veggies while the stove is doing its thing.

We love this stove set's simple design and seamless integration. The stovetop is a windscreen and burner combined, on top of which two aluminum pans fit perfectly. It also has a frying pan that doubles as a lid. The result? A stable stove system that's budget-friendly, cooks evenly, and sets up with zero hassle.

If versatility is what you need in a backpacking stove, the Polaris has you covered. It can be easily adapted to run on basically any type of gas commonly used in camping stoves (white gas, jet fuel, diesel, kerosene), so you'll never find yourself wishing you had brought the other canister. Our favorite feature is the heat-reflecting windscreen — because no matter how cold and windy it gets, just set up the windscreen and you'll have boiling water in a quick four minutes.

Impressive in so many ways, this stove from Jetboil will turn a backcountry camper into the next Emeril. This compact and lightweight 6-pound stove will fit easily in your backpack, and it'll double your backcountry cooking output. No need to eat freeze-dried meals anymore, because with this stove, you can prepare your favorite home-cooked recipes in places only reachable by foot.

Weighing in at under 3 ounces, this baby will make larger stoves a thing of the past. The Pocket Rocket is easy to use, and it delivers full-sized performance in a miniature package, so you can dish up Grandma's beef stew even miles off the beaten path. It's also great to keep on hand for car camping or for those "just-in-case" moments when campfire cooking is ruined by a rainstorm.

This affordable option is great for beginners who don't want to make a huge investment straight out of the gates. It's powered by Esbit's solid-state fuel cubes (sold separately), comes with an anodized aluminum stove, pot, and pot stand, and packs down super small in the included mesh bag to fit perfectly in your backpack.

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